Next month, major work begins at the Kansas Turnpike’s Emporia service center.
The facility, five miles northeast of the Emporia tollgate, will be demolished to make way for a modernized facility. Turnpike Authority Chief Executive Officer Steve Hewitt says it’s a 15-month, $15 million project. Hewitt also says this is a different project from prior work at the Matfield Green and Towanda service exits.
The project was also set in motion, at least in part, with McDonald’s — a longtime partner for the service exit — deciding not to renew its lease.
Hewitt says the end result will be a one-stop-shop, QuikTrip-style convenience area.
Regardless, Hewitt says the new facility will look “a lot different” when it opens to the public late next year — and not just because of the consolidation of facilities.
Last week, the KTA named its partners. Tessere will handle the architecture work, while Dondlinger & Sons will oversee construction and Fast N’Friendly will be the service operator. A fuel operator could continue with Taco John’s and a “crispy chicken” facility. Meanwhile, commercial truck drivers will benefit from showers at the service exit.
Current restaurant facilities involving Subway and Taco John’s will start next month as both locations close ahead of demolition. The rebuild will include one establishment handling food and fuel as well as other unspecified services. The KTA has said fuel and restroom services will stay open to the public during the process.
Hewitt says the Emporia planning process may well be the model for upcoming work on service centers once the local project is finished.
